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. 2018 Mar;97(9):e0055.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010055.

MRI and CT contrast media extravasation: A systematic review

Affiliations

MRI and CT contrast media extravasation: A systematic review

Ashkan Heshmatzadeh Behzadi et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Mar.

Abstract

Background: This systematic review combines data from multiple papers on contrast media extravasation to identify factors contributing to increased extravasation risk.

Methods: Data were extracted from 17 papers reporting 2191 extravasations in 1,104,872 patients (0.2%) undergoing computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results: Extravasation rates were 0.045% for gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) and nearly 6-fold higher, 0.26% for iodinated contrast agents. Factors associated with increased contrast media extravasations included: older age, female gender, using an existing intravenous (IV) instead of placing a new IV in radiology, in-patient status, use of automated power injection, high injection rates, catheter location, and failing to warm up the more viscous contrast media to body temperature.

Conclusion: Contrast media extravasation is infrequent but nearly 6 times less frequent with GBCA for MRI compared with iodinated contrast used in CT.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart shows papers selection criteria based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guideline.

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